By: KIPP Public Schools
We would like to introduce the 2022 KIPP Federal Policy Fellows! This summer, 20 KIPP alumni [including 3 of our very own KIPP SoCal alumnae] will be heading to Washington, DC, where they will gain paid hands-on work experience in our nation’s Capitol.
The KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship is a selective 7-month program for college-aged KIPP alumni [with] aspiring careers in policy, advocacy, or public service. Created in response to the inequity of unpaid Congressional internships, this fellowship offers a chance to work with Congressional offices, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy groups.
This is our 8th annual cohort of KIPP Federal Policy Fellows and marks a return to in-person collaboration after virtual fellowships in 2020 and 2021. This program is at the core of what we hope to accomplish by having 1,000 alumni in positions of power [where their voices can be heard in our nation’s most vital policy discussions and decisions — all in efforts to create] a more just world.
Check out a few of our 2022 Fellows sharing their future aspirations and their hopes for the summer:
Please join us in congratulating our 2022 KIPP Federal Policy Fellows! Among these incredible alumni are future members of Congress, the next Health and Human Services Secretary, an inspiring community leader, the next political correspondent and policy makers who will ensure the rights of BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women are protected for years to come. We can’t wait to see these alumni soar this summer and beyond as they use their voice to make a better world for all. [Get to know our three remarkable KIPP SoCal alumnae by reading their bios below]:
KIPP Scholar Academy Alumna: Ashley Álvarez is a member of the 2024 class at Harvard University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Educational Studies. She is passionate about educational justice and transformation within the early-childhood and TK-12 public-education system. On campus, Ashley sits on the student advisory councils for the Sociology Department and the Educational Studies Program. Outside of the classroom, Ashley has a growing professional background in the education field, with a number of internships in a variety of organizations including Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation and EducationSuperHighway. After graduating, she hopes to continue her higher education and, eventually, return to her native Los Angeles to pursue a career focused on ensuring Black, Indigenous, and Latinx students from low-income households receive just, accessible public education.
KIPP LA Prep Alumna: Stephanie Medina is a senior at the University of California, Merced where she is majoring in Political Science and is pursuing a career in public policy and/or management. Her policy areas of interest include education, health care, and housing. She hopes to earn a Master’s in Business Administration or Public Policy. Her goal is to uplift her community through the creation of policy that meets the needs of those who are marginalized. She currently serves as a community health worker at The Wellness Center, where she connects residents and patients to culturally sensitive preservation services and resources that aim to improve health outcomes and overall well-being. She is also the treasurer for the Rotaract Club where she’s involved in volunteering initiatives across multiple community organizations in the city of Merced, CA.
KIPP LA Prep Alumna: Stephanie Ortiz is a Latina DREAMer majoring in political science at the University of California, Riverside. Her career goals are to become a district representative and advocate for the development of resources and opportunities for undocumented and low-income individuals in education. Coming from a [systemically] low-income community and immigrant background, she noticed the challenges people in her community faced and became involved in leadership organizations that helped develop her advocacy skills. She was a delegate in California’s Model Legislation and Court Program, where she was able to campaign for leadership positions and learn diverse cultures through bill writing. She was also a Lundquist fellow and was selected to advocate for a more accessible federal financial aid process to state and district representatives in Washington D.C. While navigating college as a first-generation student in a pandemic has been challenging, she continues to pursue opportunities that will enhance her experience in policymaking and advocacy.
Read the full story at the KIPP Public Schools.
About the Author: KIPP Public Schools is a network of 270 public charter schools with nearly 10,000 educators and more than 160,000 students and alumni. Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.